one moment of fear while the horses ran, and then--" He gave a quick
shudder and advancing towards Bertram, laid his hand on his nephew's
shoulder in such a way as to prevent him from turning his head.
"Bertram," said he, "I have no son. If I were to call upon you to
perform a son's work for me; to obey and ask no questions, would you
comply?"

"Can you ask?" sprang from the young man's lips; "you know that you have
only to command for me to be proud to obey. Anything you can require
will find me ready."

The hand on his shoulder weighed heavier. "It seems a strange time to
talk about business, Bertram, but necessity knows no law. There is a
matter in which you can afford me great assistance if you will undertake
to do immediately what I ask."

"Can you doubt--"

"Hush, it is this. On this paper you will find a name; below it a number
of addresses. They are all of places down town and some of them not very
reputable I fear. What I desire is for you to seek out the man whose
name you here see, going to these very places after him, beginning with
the first, and continuing down the list until you find him. When you
come upon him, he will ask you for a card. Give him one on which you
will scrawl before his eyes, a circle, so. It is a token which he should
instantly understand. If he does, address him with freedom and tell him
that your employer--you need make use of no names--re-demands the papers
made over to him this morning. If he manifests surprise or is seen to
hesitate, tell him your orders are imperative. If he declares ruin will
follow, inform him that you are not to be frightened by words; that your
employer is as fully aware of the position of affairs as he. Whatever he
says, bring the papers."

Bertram nodded his head and endeavored to rise, but his uncle's hand
rested upon him too heavily.

"He is a small man; you need have no dread of him physically. The sooner
you find him and acquit yourself of your task, the better I shall be
pleased." And then the hand lifted.

On his way down stairs Bertram encountered Paula. She was standing in
the hall and accosted him with a very trembling tone in her voice. All
her questions were in regard to Mr. Sylvester.

"Have you seen him?" she asked. "Does he speak--say anything? No one has
heard him utter a word since he came in from down town and saw her lying
there."

"Yes, certainly; he spoke to me; he has been giving me some commissions
to perform. I am on my w